--- title: Top SafeStop Blogs from 2017 description: Top SafeStop Blogs from 2017 with topics including classroom smart boards, the advantages of student portals, and why traditional school years are 180 days. --- [![SafeStop](https://blog.safestopapp.com/hubfs/Safe_Stop_June_2016_Theme/images/safestop-600x109-7b7a648b74af31c76bac80510b9ad153.png)](https://www.safestopapp.com/) - [HOW IT WORKS](https://www.safestopapp.com/#how-it-works-container) - [FEATURES](https://www.safestopapp.com/#feature-container) - [NEWSROOM](https://www.safestopapp.com/newsroom) - [BLOG](https://blog.safestopapp.com/) - [FAQ](https://www.safestopapp.com/safe_stop/faq) - [USER GUIDE](https://www.safestopapp.com/safe_stop/user_guide) - [LOGIN](https://www.safestopapp.com/web) # Top SafeStop Blogs from 2017 Posted by [Patricia M](https://blog.safestopapp.com/author/patricia-m) on Jan 10, 2018 4:16:37 PM ![](https://blog.safestopapp.com/hubfs/trellomug.jpg) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) SafeStop had an exciting year in 2017, and the team is looking forward to even more great things in the year ahead. But first, let's take a moment to look back on our Top 3 Blogs from 2017! **[Benefits of Having Smart Boards in the Classroom](https://blog.safestopapp.com/smart-boards-classroom)** // Originally posted on March 16, 2017 ![ss blog1 - smart boards.jpg](https://blog.safestopapp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ss%20blog1%20-%20smart%20boards.jpg?width=275&name=ss%20blog1%20-%20smart%20boards.jpg)Smartphones, smart cars, smart refrigerators – much of our technology is smart, and getting smarter all the time. Even our classrooms are using smart technology. One of the most innovative ideas to come to the classroom is the Smart Board, an interactive whiteboard that can do everything your computer does. Simply connect your PC to an overhead digital projector and a giant touch screen computer, or Smart Board, is literally at your fingertips.     **[Why a Student Portal is Important for Students, Teachers, Parents](https://blog.safestopapp.com/student-portal-important-students-teachers-parents)** // Originally posted on January 26, 2017 ![ss blog2 - student portal.jpg](https://blog.safestopapp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ss%20blog2%20-%20student%20portal.jpg?width=257&name=ss%20blog2%20-%20student%20portal.jpg) Remember when you were a kid and you had to call a friend, or wait until the next day if you forgot your homework assignment? Whether you are a school administrator or a millennial parent, you probably didn’t have access to the same information as students have today. If your school had a student portal, chances are it lacked sufficient information, was anything but user-friendly, and was rarely updated.     **[Why Are There 180 School Days in a Traditional School Year?](https://blog.safestopapp.com/180-school-days-traditional-school-year)** // Originally posted on March 9, 2017 ![ss blog3 - 180 days.jpg](https://blog.safestopapp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ss%20blog3%20-%20180%20days.jpg?width=267&name=ss%20blog3%20-%20180%20days.jpg)When you’re a kid, the only thing better than a [snow day](https://blog.safestopapp.com/schools-cancelled-fun-snow-days) is summer vacation. It means freedom from classes, early mornings, and dreaded homework. It also means long, lazy, warm summer days with friends and family. However, the 180-day school model has been questioned by those who wonder if having summers off from school might be detrimental to learning. After all, the amount of information children are required to absorb has substantially increased over the years. So, what are the pros and cons of year round vs. traditional school calendars? ### Subscribe to our blog [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2238719/e81d78ee-08eb-4cfe-b04b-c17e685eb920.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2238719/e81d78ee-08eb-4cfe-b04b-c17e685eb920) ### Posts by Topic - [Schools (23)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/schools) - [School Buses (20)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/school-buses) - [Bus Safety (18)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/bus-safety) - [Bus Tracking App (13)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/bus-tracking-app) - [SafeStop Insider (13)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/safestop-insider) - [Press Releases (12)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/press-releases) - [Safety (12)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/safety) - [GPS (10)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/gps) - [Student Transportation (10)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/student-transportation) - [students (10)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/students) - [school bus tracking (9)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/school-bus-tracking) - [Employee Spotlight (8)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/employee-spotlight) - [Weather (8)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/weather) - [parents (7)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/parents) - [Bullying (5)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/bullying) - [Education Technology (5)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/education-technology) - [Child Safety (4)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/child-safety) - [bus drivers (4)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/bus-drivers) - [California (3)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/california) - [Illinois (3)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/illinois) - [Rhode Island (3)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/rhode-island) - [South Carolina (3)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/south-carolina) - [crossing guards (3)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/crossing-guards) - [Back to School (2)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/back-to-school) - [Colorado (2)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/colorado) - [Connecticut (2)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/connecticut) - [New York (2)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/new-york) - [Ohio (2)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/ohio) - [Pennsylvania (2)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/pennsylvania) - [Teachers (2)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/teachers) - [distracted driving (2)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/distracted-driving) - [phone calls (2)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/phone-calls) - [reporting (2)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/reporting) - [school bus (2)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/school-bus) - [school bus routes (2)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/school-bus-routes) - [student tracking (2)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/student-tracking) - [transportation system (2)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/transportation-system) - [Canada (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/canada) - [City Driving (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/city-driving) - [Hawaii (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/hawaii) - [Iowa (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/iowa) - [Maine (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/maine) - [Massachusetts (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/massachusetts) - [New Hampshire (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/new-hampshire) - [Oregon (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/oregon) - [Texas (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/texas) - [Training (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/training) - [Washington (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/washington) - [bus routes (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/bus-routes) - [data (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/data) - [google maps (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/google-maps) - [homework (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/homework) - [school bus driver (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/school-bus-driver) - [wheelchair transportation services (1)](https://blog.safestopapp.com/topic/wheelchair-transportation-services) see all ### Recent Posts ## Using the SafeStop App After you have completed your registration, download SafeStop from the Apple App Store or Google Play, or log in to your account through the web. You're now ready to start tracking your child's school bus! - [![](https://blog.safestopapp.com/hubfs/Safe_Stop_June_2016_Theme/images/apple-app-store-d2a4c832f6940f03fbe3115eca6b5b28.png)](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/schoolwheels-safestop/id727848743?mt=8) - [![](https://blog.safestopapp.com/hubfs/Safe_Stop_June_2016_Theme/images/google-play-store-a9a40db1b012cec1f4eeb92a73c3fa3d.png)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.schoolwheels.safestop&hl=en) - [Web Access](http://safestopapp.com/web) ## Stay Connected Need help signing up or logging into your account? Want to learn more SafeStop and the benefits of school bus tracking? Follow us on social media or give our team a call. We will be happy to help you! (800) 843-8936 - [Contact Support](https://www.safestopapp.com/safe_stop/support_request) - [](https://www.facebook.com/SafeStopApp/) - [](https://twitter.com/safestopapp) - [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/safestop-inc.) - [](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFhJYl5ZXILOlsfWZELy1Sw) Copyright 2016 SafeStop, Inc. - [Privacy Policy](https://www.safestopapp.com/safe_stop/privacy) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.safestopapp.com/safe_stop/eula)